Holbeach United 4
Bugbrooke St Michaels 1
Josh Ford fired a hat-trick as Holbeach United cruised past lower-graded Bugbrooke St Michaels in the UCL Knockout Cup on Saturday.
Striker Ford notched on 24 (penalty), 39 and 54 minutes at Carter’s Park, with Andrew Tidswell grabbing the other with a sensational first-half free kick.
Emmanuel Odiadi bagged a consolation early in the second half for UCL Division One stugglers Bugbrooke, but Holbeach never looked in any danger of losing the Preliminary Round clash.
Having enjoyed two high-profile FA Cup ties with Worcester City prior to the game, the Tigers could have been forgiven if they took their eyes off the ball a little.
But boss Darren Jarvis was adamant that it wouldn’t happen – and praised the professionalism of his charges.
He said: “I thought we did a professional job. There was always a danger that, after the two Worcester games, we’d find it hard to come back to normality.
“But we got the job done. I thought the lads were excellent in the first half and our tactics were right for the opposition we had today.
“We had to do to Bugbrooke what Worcester did to us on Tuesday – and we managed it well.
“I thought we controlled the game and dictated the play, while also creating chances. I’m really pleased.
“We took our foot off the gas a little in the second half, but that’s going to happen when you make changes.
“On another day we could maybe have scored a few more, but credit to Bugbrooke, they worked really hard.
“Josh Ford’s hat-trick was great, his finish for the third goal, in particular, was superb.”
With Bugbrooke in the bottom three of Division One and Holbeach amongst the Premier Division title favourites, it was always likely to be a one-sided affair at Carter’s Park.
However, the opening exchanges were largely quiet – so much so that the chief highlight saw player/coach Tidswell catch a stray pigeon and help remove it from the pitch.
The Tigers eventually stepped it up a notch and both Gary King and Jake Clitheroe went close before the hosts were awarded a somewhat fortuitous penalty on 24 minutes when Dan Worthington’s cross struck a defender.
Ford stepped up and clinically rifled an unstoppable spot-kick high into the net to break the deadlock.
Goal number also came from a set piece – and it was a real cracker. Tidswell, who had let Ford take an earlier free kick from similar range, expertly picked out the far corner with a real gem of a strike ten minutes before the break. He was central and some 22 yards out, but nonchalantly clipped his strike in off the post.
It was effectively game over moments later when Ford doubled his money. The striker muscled his way into the box on the left and unselfishly squared for King, who saw his strike save.
However, the ball fell nicely for frontman Ford – and he prodded home from close range.
Bugbrooke, to their credit, never looked demoralised. They came out all guns blazing in the second period and pulled one back with a rapid breakaway following a Holbeach corner.
The ball eventually found Odiadi, who galloped through on the right and finished well across keeper Ricky Drury.
Tidswell then forced a smart save with another trademark free kick from distance, before Odiadi turned provider for Pete Smith – only for the striker to fluff his lines and fired over from six yards when a second away goal seemed certain.
It proved costly, as the Tigers went up the other end and cemented their win. Clitheroe’s pass picked out Ford on the right, who drew the keeper and expertly lobbed home his third via the inside of the far post.
Subs Harry Limb and Tommy Treacher both had chances to extend the lead late on, but the game fizzled out after Ford’s hat-trick goal.
Holbeach, who visit Yaxley in the UCL Premier Division on Tuesday (7.45pm), will face Blackstones – another UCL Division One side – in the next round.
Tigers: Drury, Worthington, Jackson, Warfield, Cartwright, Pinner, Clitheroe, Tidswell, King (Dougill 67), Ford (Treacher 58), Thomas (Limb 63). Not used: Clay, Roberts.
